I can't vote because I am not in favor. I drive a fuel-efficient car to my full-time job. I live 20 miles from my job. The closest public transport would be 8 miles away, and would involve 2 hours each way (due to transfers, etc.) We can not move closer to my job due to the higher rent costs. Doubling my gas costs would be financially devastating at this time.

I have children in public elementary, middle, and high school. We haven't noticed much of a change in routine here. Mine are not able to participate in many outside activities at this time, though, so that may have an impact. If we *are* out late, and they are up late, they still have to go to school in the AM as usual.

I did the same thing with powdered sugar. My kids were mad I got him dirty. LOL

How about you look at this a little differently. We never had Christmas traditions, because my children's father did not really like Christmas. We couldn't watch Christmas movies, we couldn't listen to Christmas songs, and I didn't get Christmas presents for YEARS. This is our first Christmas apart, and we are trying to create traditions. The Elf is *fun* - manufactured or not. I'm sorry if that offends you, but I for one am having a BLAST trying to make up for the past. I am glad to hear my children giggle in the mornings when they figure out where he is. And, for the record, we have never done the "Santa thing" in our house, so it really is just good fun.

I found most of these online: Snow Angel (powdered sugar) Fishing in sink for goldfish Toilet papering tree Ducted taped to wall taken prisoner by green army men Drinking syrup Playing a game Circus Elf (hanging upside down from candy cane trapeze) Stuffed Animal Sack Race Elf Hid candy canes (scavenger hunt) Elf planted magic seeds (tic tacs in powdered sugar – replace with candy canes the next day) Tangled up in Christmas lights Taking a shower Snowball fight with barbee or stuffed animal (marshmallows) Hanging out in fridge On toilet paper roll swing Doing laundry In a shoe Puts streamers across bedroom doors Serving powdered sugar doughnuts Hanging from light Sitting in shoe holding laces like a sleigh Writing his own Christmas list Building block tower Watching TV with remote and popcorn Head stuck in M & M bag Kneeling on Bible praying (this is where he will be Christmas morning) Looking at toy catalog Bench Pressing (toothpick with marshmallow on each end)

Ok I will - give me a few minutes!

Yes, they can. I hadn't ever really thought about it. If I ever end up somewhere that has a sports-obsessed office, I am in trouble. I don't even have broadcast TV!

I sat down on Thanksgiving and came up with 30 or so ideas, and then bought the stuff that I needed. If I had to think of one everyday it would never happen!

I'm an accountant and the only thing we ever talk about are variance analysis and forecasting.

Mr. Elvis arrived in the refrigerator drinking my coffee creamer. The kids have decided HE should be on the naughty list! LOL

Unfortunately, you can't make a 15yo go to counseling. Counseling only works if the person is willing and wants to change. (((Rose))) I cannot imagine the heartache.

LOL...no. It's what they call the 4-mile race. It isn't really a sprint, as there are 15+ obstacles to complete as well. http://www.spartanrace.com/ I did Tough Mudder this year, and I am looking for a new challenge. I am running a few other races as well (maybe even Tough Mudder again,) but Spartan is my focus.

Spartan Trifecta - complete the Sprint (4 miles), Super (8), and Beast (12) Lose the rest of this weight. Finally. All of it.

We're doing it this year for the first time. The 4 year old has named the elf "Mr. Elfis" (play on Elvis.) I've got a list going of what I *want* to do, including very easy ideas for rushed mornings. If you want a laugh, though, look up adult-themed ideas!

I want to tell everyone who didn't know about the board help I received in 2009. We had moved to FL, dh was making about $15K a year, and we had NOTHING for Christmas. A post went up for people to specifically help my family, and people came through in a big way. It made a horrible year end a little better. I received enough that I was able to share it with another family that I knew that was in dire straits as well. I'd be more than happy to "pay it forward."

I agree.

My "oops" baby is almost 5, and I can't imagine life without him. He totally completed our family, and everyone adores him.

I got lost in the woods a couple of months ago when out hiking (the trail "disappeared" about halfway through.) I was posting to Facebook the whole time about being lost in the woods. My GPS was not as helpful as it should have been!

I recently stayed at the Swan. It was WONDERFUL!

Did she have liability only? Being "at fault" in an accident where you only have liability insurance will not get you a pay out. Crashing into a tree because you are speeding and lose control will still have a payout if you have collision insurance. Wokers' comp can be the same way. You can do something really stupid and dangerous at work, but if you are legitimately injured, you will still get paid. If you burn down your house because you leave a pan of oil on the stove on, you will still get an insurance payout. I will agree that different states have different laws.

Insurance covers you even when you are stupid. Following or not following laws has no bearing on it. My aunt is in risk management, and the stories she tells about the STUPID things people do (and they still get settlements and pay-outs.)

Tough Mudder :D

By this description, I am upper middle class. I wish someone would tell my bank account that! :lol:

It is both, really. I took away the 10,000 hours concept from it, too. I use Michael Jordan as an example for my dc all the time. He had the raw talent, but it had to be developed. Bill Gates worked hard at programming BUT he was only able to do that due to the circumstances around his life. A child may have raw musical talent that could make him or her exceptional at an instrument with hard work, but that also requires circumstances that allow him or her to take lessons (so a poor child is less likely to be able to do this than a wealthier child.) Think about this - that man has a choice. He could use his high IQ, work hard, and do pretty much whatever job/career he wanted. Someone with a low average IQ cannot. No matter how hard that person might work, there are jobs/careers/areas of study that will be beyond his or her ability. (I am sure I will get jumped on for that, but I think most people can see that that all around them.) The quote I tell my dc all the time: "Hard work beats talent when talent hardly works." I have 2 dc that illustrate this - one has LDs, the other does not. The dc that does works HARD, and his grades are significantly better than the other dc's. So I don't think we are victims of fate, but I do believe chance, opportunity, and support from those around us are necessary as well.

Absolutely. That book made me see how forces outside ourselves help shape our lives.